About Winehaven Winery & Vineyard
Winehaven Winery and Vineyard was founded in 1995 as Chisago County's first estate winery, and nearly three decades later it remains a cornerstone of Minnesota winemaking. The Peterson family, who had cultivated bees in the St. Croix River Valley for three generations before turning to grapes, brought their agricultural heritage directly into the wine program. The result is a winery that produces both grape wines and honey wines (meads), including the Stinger Honeywine, which was selected as a national top pick by wine writer Andrea Robinson and reflects the family's deep roots in apiculture. The vineyard spans 15 acres of winter-hardy grape varieties, including one, the Chisago grape, that was developed and patented by Kevin and Kyle Peterson in 2008 and is grown nowhere else in the world.
Winehaven has accumulated more than 200 awards for winemaking excellence, with recognition magazine and USA Today, which called the winery a notable producer. The tasting room offers flights, wine slushies, pizzas, and charcuterie daily, and the gift shop carries specialty honey products and local craft items. The property's panoramic views of the Chisago Lakes area and hillside vineyards are part of the draw. The winery hosts annual festivals throughout the year, including Cabin Fever Days in March, New Vintage Days in April, a Cheese and Chocolate Weekend in November, and a Holiday Festival in December. Winehaven is located 35 miles north of the Twin Cities, an easy day trip that connects naturally with the broader St. Croix Valley wine trail.
